Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29, 1976),1 better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper and actor signed to The Inc. and Universal Records, formerly of Def Jam Recordings. A Hollis, New York native, Ja Rule is best-known for hits such as "Holla, Holla", "Put It On Me", "Between Me And You", "I'm Real", "Livin' It Up", "Always On Time", "Mesmerize", "Wonderful" and "New York", Ja Rule has released seven albums to date and sold over 30 million albums worldwide.2
Early life
Atkins was born in Queens, New York to Debra Atkins, a health care worker.13 He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness by his mother and grandparents. At the age of five, his sister died from breathing complications, leaving him as an only child.4 He attended PS 186, a mixed school, but was later transferred to MS 172, another mixed school, due to daily fights he would be involved in.4
Music career
Atkins began his rap career in 1994 with the group Cash Money Click. He told Curtis Waller of MTV News that his stage name "Ja Rule" came from a friend of his who addressed him by that name; other friends called him "Ja".5
Venni Vetti Vecci (1999)
His debut album Venni Vetti Vecci was released in 1999. Singles included "Holla Holla" and "It's Murda" with Jay-Z and DMX. The final single was "Daddy's Little Baby", a duet with Ronald Isley. Venni Vetti Vecci was certified platinum by the RIAA on July 12, 1999.6
Rule 3:36 (2000)
Ja Rule returned during the summer of 2000, with his new single "Between Me and You", which featured Def Soul act Christina Milian. The single was quickly followed by Ja's second effort, Rule 3:36, which was released on October 10, 2000. 3:36 also featured singles "Put It On Me," and "I Cry." The album featured guest appearances from Lil Mo, Vita, Christina Milian, label mates Jayo Felony, and Black Child. Rule 3:36 debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts, eventually going 3x Platinum.6
Pain Is Love (2001)
Soon after the release of Rule 3:36, Irv Gotti signed R&B singer Ashanti to the label, which led to Lil Mo ending her collaborations with the label. During the late summer of 2001, Ja Rule released "Livin' It Up", the lead single from his third studio album, Pain Is Love. The second single was the "I'm Real (remix)", and the third was "Always On Time", and the last was "Down Ass Bitch". Pain Is Love featured guest appearances from Case, The Murder Inc. Family, Missy Elliott, Jodie Mack, Tweet, Jennifer Lopez and a recording from the late Tupac Shakur. Along with its critical success it was also a commercial success, reaching 3x Platinum certification.6
The Last Temptation (2002)
The Last Temptation. His fourth album was released on November 19, 2002. It featured the singles "Thug Lovin'" and "Mesmerize." 237,000 copies were sold in the first week of release. Although it did not sell as well as his previous album, The Last Temptation was certified 2x platinum.6 It was after this album that the '50 Cent & G Unit' era began, which would negatively effect Ja's future project's and career in general.
Blood In My Eye (2003)
Blood In My Eye was his fifth album and the last released under the "Murder Inc." label, which renamed itself "The Inc." several days after the album release.7 It peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.8 In October 2003, Ja Rule met with Minster Louis Farrakhan, who wanted to intervene and prevent escalating violence in the feud between Ja Rule and 50 Cent.9
R.U.L.E. (2004)
Ja Rule's sixth studio album R.U.L.E. was released in November 2004. Its lead single was "Wonderful" featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti, followed by the street anthem "New York" featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss and the love song "Caught Up" featuring Lloyd and Ashanti. The track "The Manual" was also a single in the UK. In 2005, the RIAA certified R.U.L.E. and its single "Wonderful" gold.
Hiatus, departure from The Inc. (2005-2007)
On December 6, 2005, The Inc. released Exodus, a greatest hits album. "Me" was the only new song in that album. Exodus was the last album on Ja Rule's contract with Def Jam. After the release of this compilation, Ja Rule took a hiatus from recording music.1
In 2005, The Inc. Records came under investigation because of drug trades by Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, who was associated with Irv Gotti.10 This led to Def Jam Recordings refusing to renew The Inc.'s contract. From 2005 to 2006, Gotti searched for other labels until finally reaching a deal with Universal Records (ironically part of the same company as Def Jam).
The Mirror (2007-present)
The first single of his eighth album The Mirror, "Uh-Ohhh!", featuring Lil Wayne, came out in August 2007. It peaked at #69 on the U.S Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #107 on the Billboard 200. Two other singles released after were "Body" featuring Ashley Joi, which peaked at #71 on the U.S Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and "Sunset" featuring The Game.1 Originally, The Mirror was to be released on September 12, 2007,11 then delayed to November 13.12 That release date was delayed, and further delayed for an October 14th release. That too, was delayed.1 Ja Rule's official Myspace page states a "Coming Soon!" release for the album, and the JaRule.net website later listed a 2008 release time frame for The Mirror.13
Personal life
Criminal charges
In 1999, he along with the rest of Murder Inc. were brought up on charges for assaulting 50 Cent, which led to a restraining order against them for 50. Also in 2003, he punched a man in Toronto for shouting at him in a crowd because of the 50 Cent feud.14 This man later sued Ja Rule, but they settled out of court. In 2004, police investigated whether a feud involving The Inc. led to fatal shooting outside a nightclub party hosted by Ja Rule.1516 In July 2007, Ja Rule was arrested for gun and drug possession charges along with Lil Wayne.
Alleged homophobia
In the September 2007 issue of Complex magazine, Ja Rule was reported to have expressed that homosexuals are to be blamed for the problems and destruction in the United States, and was disgusted at MTV's promotion of LGBT television shows. He also spoke out about how hip hop is being blamed for more issues than homosexuality, and perpetuated the belief that gays are evil and corrupting music and television.
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"And if it is, then we need to go step to Paramount, and fucking MGM, and all of these other motherfuckers that's making all of these movies and we need to go step to MTV and Viacom, and lets talk about all these fucking shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can't watch this shit," he continued. "Dating shows that's showing two guys or two girls in mid-afternoon. Let's talk about shit like that! If that's not fucking up America, I don't know what is."17 |
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His comments prompted a strong rebuke from GLAAD, who issued a public statement stating, "No fair-minded person can look at Ja Rule’s interview with Complex Magazine and believe for one second that his children could be more harmed by what they might see on television than by the vulgarity and prejudice that comes out of their father’s mouth. Now that media have seen Ja Rule’s intolerance unmasked by his own words, they have a responsibility not to provide in the future a platform for his ugly, vulgar displays of prejudice.”18
It was later revealed that GLAAD had been mistaken and that he was actually mis-quoted in an interview with online MySpace interview channel The Hook Up on October 24, 2007.19 He went on in a January 2008 issue of XXL Magazine to state his words were taken out of context. He is quote as stating:
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"What I was saying in that article is everyone has that same responsibility. They're absolutely right: Rappers have a responsibility to the kids. But don't just pin it on the hip-hop. If I gotta curb my lyrics or censor what I say, no problem. But if you gonna show sexual images during the daytime for children, that should be censored as well ... And I'm not just talking about homosexuality. I'm talking about any sexuality. If it's too sexy for kids, it's too sexy for kids ..."20 |
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Philanthrophy
Ja Rule founded the L.I.F.E Foundation, which opens its doors to underprivileged children through various programs such as art, music, poetry and sports.21
Discography
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Albums
Compilations
Awards and nominations
| Year |
Award/Nomination |
| 2001 |
Source Hip-Hop Music Award Won for Single of the Year - "Put It on Me" |
| MTV Video Music Awards nomination for Best Rap Video - "Put It on Me" |
| 2002 |
MTV Video Music Awards Won for Best Hip-Hop Video - "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" |
| MTV Video Music Awards nominated for Best Hip-Hop Video - "Always on Time" |
| American Music Award nominated for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist |
| Grammy Awards nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group - "Put It on Me" |
| Grammy Awards nominated for Best Rap Album - Pain Is Love |
| Grammy Awards nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "Livin' It Up" |
| World Music Awards Won for World's Best-Selling Rap Artist |
| BET Awards Won for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Artist |
| GQ Men of the Year Award Won for Musician of the Year |
| Teen Choice Awards Won for Male Artist of the Year |
| NAACP Image Awards Won for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist |
| Soul Train Music Award nomination for Best Rap/Soul or Rap Album of the Year - Pain Is Love |
| 2003 |
Source Award Won for R&B/Rap Collboration of the Year - "Thug Lovin'" |
| American Music Award nomination for Favorite Hip-Hop/R&B Male Artist |
| Grammy Awards nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "Always on Time" |
| 2004 |
Source Award Won for Phat Tape Song of the Year - "Clap Back" |
Acting career
During his break from rapping, Ja Rule co-starred in the movie The Fast and the Furious with Vin Diesel. He appeared on the 2004 movie Back in The Day along with Ving Rhames and Pam Grier. He was also starred in the movie The Cookout with Queen Latifah. He is working on his bio-pic and on Saw IV.
Filmography
References
- ^ a b c d e Birchmeier, Jason (2007). "Ja Rule > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ (February 20, 2008). Ja Rule celebrates his musical comeback by getting another tattoo Showbiz Spy. Accessed August 15, 2008.
- ^ Hughes, Zondra (2002-04). "Ja Rule: rap star rules hearts & charts - Jeffrey Atkins". FindArticles. CBS Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-12-01.
- ^ a b Farrakhan, Louis. "Ja Rule on 50 Cent, God and Hip-Hop". MTV. Retrieved on 2008-12-01.
- ^ Waller, Curtis (2001-02-17). "Ja Rule: Rules of the Game". MTV News. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ a b c d "Ja Rule - Search Results". RIAA. Retrieved on 2008-08-31.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (2003-11-14). "Murder Inc. Drops The Murder", MTV News. Retrieved on 17 August 2008.
- ^ "Ja Rule > Charts & Awards (Billboard Albums)". allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ "Farrakhan warns hip-hop artists: Clap-back will only lead to coffins", The Final Call (2003-11-4). Retrieved on 2008-04-150.
- ^ Rashbaum, Matthew (2005-12-03). "Hip-Hop Producers Get Acquittal, Then Hugs, From Jurors", The New York Times.
- ^ Template error: argument title is required.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (2007-10-15). "Ja Rule Looks In The Mirror -- And Sees Who 50 Cent Wishes He Could Be", MTV News. Retrieved on 18 August 2008.
- ^ "Ja Rule - The Mirror". JaRule.net. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ "Ja Rule apologizes for punching man", USA Today (2005-03-07). Retrieved on 12 September 2007.
- ^ "Police probing nightclub shooting", USA Today (2004-12-29). Retrieved on 12 September 2007.
- ^ Weiss, Murray (2005-07-18). "Ja Rule Target of Shooting Investigation", New York Post. Retrieved on 12 September 2007.
- ^ "Ja Rule Challenges Congressional Meeting On Hip-Hop, "Let's Talk About These F-ing Shows Promoting Homosexuality"", Complex (2007-09-12). Retrieved on 14 September 2007.
- ^ "GLAAD Statement Regarding Ja Rule's Comments to Complex Magazine", GLAAD (2007-09-13). Retrieved on 17 September 2007.
- ^ "Ja Rule's statement refuting that he is homophobic and stating that he was falsely quoted", The Hook Up (2007-10-34). Retrieved on 9 November 2007.
- ^ Stay Around by Anslem Samuel. XXL Magazine. January 2008. Page 63
- ^ "Bio". JaRule.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
External links
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&videoType=YouTube&summary=ja rule in his sweet home(the open paradise) that what ja call it, in Miami...with his friends Jay-Z,Ludacris,redman,IRV Gotti,girls and niggaz ...&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/OeriuqL57Qc&fs=1&hl=en&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://3.gvt0.com/vi/OeriuqL57Qc/0.jpg&celebrity=Ja Rule)
